Tag Archives: Inclusion

On Tuesday, January 24th at 1 p.m., join the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) and CLC Network “for a conversation about supporting students with disabilities in Christian schools.” …Read More →

Too often we fail to listen by forcing others into shallow cultural molds of what is socially acceptable. Instead, we must follow Christ’s example in welcoming those who are on the margins of society into the centre of community life. …Read More →

Creating a Culture of Inclusion for People with Disabilities is a series of 8 vignettes of real life situations in the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, MI that is meant to be a study resource for faith communities. …Read More →

Our Children’s pastor lovingly and consistently tried to accommodate Michael year after year. She said to us at one point that not only was she concerned about Michael but believed that others would benefit from him being there as well. …Read More →

Our church has supported us through prayer, financial aid and food or food vouchers and occasional visits. We also have a deaconess who is totally amazing, and she is the first person we’d call for anything! But do we feel like we belong? …Read More →

An enthusiastic basketball player who currently works at Goodwill and attends WCI in Woodstock, Josh Masters is a 20-year-old with Down syndrome who would love to work in the fitness industry at a YMCA or gym. He has recently been accepted into Lambton College where he will study sports and recreation this fall!

“I never dreamed he’d go to college,” said his exuberant mother Michele Masters. “I never dreamed of that possibility.”

The oldest of four children, two of Josh’s siblings also have Down Syndrome and one has a duo diagnosis of autism, making life a little hectic at times for the Masters’ family.

For example, in February, while her mother Pal Wilson lay dying in palliative care, Masters had to ferry her four children to 27 various professional appointments in 19 days.

But despite it all, Masters and her husband Dave waste little time on self-pity, preferring to look at each of her children as “a gift from God.”

She said her family thrives thanks to strong medical, community and church support and credits agencies such as Woodstock District Developmental Services, the Child and Parent Resource Institute, Good Beginnings Daycare and the Down Syndrome Parent Association for their strong support.

As an outspoken advocate for her special needs children, Masters, a stay-at-home mom by necessity, has always pushed for their inclusion at school.

“I think Joshua’s success and ability to do what he’s doing has a lot to do with being included,” she said. “Joshua has never been in a developmental class, he always went mainstream in school.”